Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe stands at the gate to a factory unit in Whitestown Industrial Estate in Tallaght that is being used as an illegal asbestos dump.

Up to 15 tonnes of white asbestos waste is being illegally stored and is endangering the lives of not only workers in the industrial estate but local communities living nearby.

Crowe, who brought the illegal dump to the notice of South Dublin County Council, is concerned that the council have not acted quickly to ensure the safe disposal of the asbestos on site. By law, it should be wrapped in plastic and can only be safely disposed of in Germany. Broken asbestos sheets were found lying on the pavement outside the unit.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Councillor Crowe quoted a study by Doctor Julian Peto from the Institute of Cancer Research at University of London. Peto emphasises that ``all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic''. Peto estimates that up to 500,000 people will die across Europe from asbestos-caused illnesses by 2035. Councillor Crowe told An Phoblacht: ``It is criminal that workers and the local community in Tallaght are being exposed to these dangers.''